Cellulose container with inner-mold label

Abstract

A container or lid may have a body of molded cellulose, the body of molded cellulose defining one or more walls. The wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. A depression is in the outer surface of the wall or walls. One or more labels, is or are embedded in the depression in the outer surface of the wall. A method for labelling a container or lid having a cellulose body may also be provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A container or lid comprising:
 a body of molded cellulose, the body of molded cellulose defining 
 at least one wall, the wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, 
 a depression in the outer surface of the at least one wall; and 
 at least one label, the at least one label being embedded in the depression in the outer surface of the at least one wall, a continuous edgeless surface is formed at a junction between the at least one label and the outer surface, the continuous edgeless surface extending to the outer surface surrounding the at least one label, and to the label. 
 
     
     
       2. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein a continuous edgeless surface is formed at a junction between the at least one label and the outer surface. 
     
     
       3. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface portion of the container or lid is seamless at the junction between the at least one label and the outer surface. 
     
     
       4. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein a volumetric geometry of the depression corresponds substantially to that of the at least one label. 
     
     
       5. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein any portion of a peripheral edge of the at least one label projects out of the depression by a distance that is less than a thickness of the label. 
     
     
       6. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the body of molded cellulose is a monoblock body of cellulose. 
     
     
       7. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one label has a paper substrate. 
     
     
       8. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one label has a dry liquid-activated adhesive on a face thereof applied against the body of molded cellulose. 
     
     
       9. The container or lid according to  claim 8 , wherein the dry liquid-activated adhesive is dextrin. 
     
     
       10. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one label is adhesive-less on a face thereof applied against the body of molded cellulose. 
     
     
       11. The container or lid according to  claim 10 , wherein a starch content of the molded cellulose secures the at least one label to the body. 
     
     
       12. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wall has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm inclusively. 
     
     
       13. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the body defines an inner cavity. 
     
     
       14. The container or lid according to  claim 13 , wherein a surface of the inner cavity has a coating thereon. 
     
     
       15. The container or lid according to  claim 14 , wherein the coating is a waterproofing coating. 
     
     
       16. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the container or lid with the at least one label is a smooth-surface molded pulp product. 
     
     
       17. The container or lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the continuous edgeless surface is for an entire periphery of the at least one label.